Anterior spinal artery
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2008-06-19T21:55:58Z
Tursiops
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{{Infobox Artery |
Name = {{PAGENAME}} |
Latin = arteria spinalis anterior |
GraySubject = 148 |
Image = Circle of Willis en.svg |
Caption = Arteries of the [[brain]], [[brain stem]] and upper [[spinal cord]] ('''anterior spinal artery''' at bottom) |
Image2 = Gray770-vessels.png |
Caption2 = 1: posterior spinal vein<BR>2: anterior spinal vein<BR>3: posterolateral spinal vein<BR>4: radicular (or segmental medullary) vein<BR>5: posterior spinal arteries<BR>6: anterior spinal artery<BR>7: radicular (or segmental medullary) artery |
BranchFrom = [[vertebral artery|vertebral arteries]] |
BranchTo = |
Vein = [[anterior spinal veins]] |
Supplies = |
MeshName = |
MeshNumber = |
DorlandsPre = a_61 |
DorlandsSuf = 12156004 |
}}
In [[human anatomy]], the '''anterior spinal artery''' is the [[blood vessel]] that supplies the anterior portion of the [[spinal cord]]. It arises from branches of the [[vertebral artery|vertebral arteries]] and is supplied by the [[anterior segmental medullary artery|anterior segmental medullary arteries]], including the [[artery of Adamkiewicz]], and courses along the anterior aspect of the spinal cord.
==Path==
The anterior spinal artery is a small branch, which arises near the termination of the vertebral, and, descending in front of the [[medulla oblongata]], unites with its fellow of the opposite side at the level of the [[foramen magnum]].
One of these vessels is usually larger than the other, but occasionally they are about equal in size.
The single trunk, thus formed, descends on the front of the [[medulla spinalis]], and is reinforced by a succession of small branches which enter the [[vertebral canal]] through the [[intervertebral foramina]]; these branches are derived from the [[vertebral artery]] and the [[ascending cervical artery]] of the [[inferior thyroid artery]] in the neck; from the [[intercostal arteries]] in the [[thorax]]; and from the [[lumbar artery]], [[iliolumbar artery]] and [[lateral sacral arteries]] in the [[abdomen]] and [[pelvis]].
They unite, by means of ascending and descending branches, to form a single [[anterior median artery]], which extend as far as the lower part of the medulla spinalis, and is continued as a slender twig on the [[filum terminale]].
This vessel is placed in the [[pia mater]] along the [[anterior median fissure]]; it supplies that membrane, and the substance of the medulla spinalis, and sends off branches at its lower part to be distributed to the cauda equina.
==Disorders==
Disruption of the anterior spinal cord leads to bilateral disruption of the [[corticospinal tract]], causing motor deficits, and bilateral disruption of the [[spinothalamic tract]], causing sensory deficits in the form of pain/temperature sense loss. See also [[Medial medullary syndrome]]
==See also==
* [[Anterior spinal artery syndrome]]
==Additional images==
[[Image:Arteries_beneath_brain.png|thumb|center|500px|The arteries of the base of the brain. Anterior spinal artery at bottom.]]
==External links==
*Yoshioka K, Niinuma H, Ohira A, Nasu K, Kawakami T, Sasaki M, Kawazoe K. MR angiography and CT angiography of the artery of Adamkiewicz: noninvasive preoperative assessment of thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysm. Radiographics. 2003 Sep-Oct;23(5):1215-25. PMID 12975511 [http://radiographics.rsnajnls.org/cgi/content/figsonly/23/5/1215 Full Text]
*[http://radiographics.rsnajnls.org/content/vol23/issue5/images/large/g03se12c1a.jpeg Drawing of the anterior spinal artery]
*[http://www.frca.co.uk/images/spinal-cord4.jpg Horizontal view of blood supply to the spinal cord]
* {{RocheLexicon|13048.000-1}}
* [http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/bv.fcgi?rid=spinalcord.figgrp.220 Diagram] at nih.gov
{{Gray's}}
{{Arteries of head and neck}}
[[Category:Arteries]]
[[de:Arteria spinalis anterior]]
[[it:Arteria spinale anteriore]]
[[la:Arteria spinalis anterior]]
[[nds:Arteria spinalis anterior]]